Child and youth mental health in Canada — Infographic

10% to 20% of Canadian children and youth may develop a mental disorder.
Mental disorders among all ages accounted for 13% of the global burden of disease.

Has hospital use for mental disorders changed?

Studies show that the prevalence of mental disorders among children and youth is unchanged over time. Between 2006–2007 and 2015–2016, there has been a 56% increase in visits to the emergency department, a 47 % increase in hospitalizations and an 18% decrease in hospitalizations for other conditions.

How many youth received medication for mental disorders?

1 in 12 youth* were dispensed a mood/anxiety or antipsychotic medication.

* 7.0% (65,008) of youth living in B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba were dispensed at least 1 medication to treat a mood or anxiety disorder, and 1.6% (15,184) were dispensed at least 1 antipsychotic medication. This equates to about 1 in 12 adolescents in 2014–2015.

The most commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication was dispensed to youth almost exclusively at dosages below the recommended range for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.